Page 7 of Hate You Up Close

I’ve worked in plenty of offices where people walk around like carbon copies, acting like their shit doesn't stink when we all know damn well that it's nothing but an act. We get in our cars after work, blaring songs with more expletives than we can count while cursing our jobs to hell. We scream at the top of our lungs, rejoicing in the fact that we finally get to be ourselves outside the confinesof an office.

I don’t want to be fake anymore, that’s why I decide to not sugarcoat my response.

What you see is what you get. You either like me or you don’t.

I take a deep breath, sitting up straight as I meet her waiting stare.

“I would say my biggest strength andweakness is that I’m stubborn. I’ve never been a pushover, and I refuse to allow anyone to treat me less than human. If you show me kindness and respect, I’ll give you the exact same treatment. But if you belittle me and treat me like garbage, then I’ll happily return the favor. I just…My father taught me to be strong.”

I close my eyes, wincing at the memory.

“You’ll be fine, my Roxy girl. You’re the strongest person I know. Even if you can’t see me, I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“He taught me so many things,” I rasp. “But most of all, he taught me to love hard and be strong.”

A moment of silence passes as if Skylar knows that he’s not with us anymore. He may not be a phone call away, but I can feel him everywhere I go. He’s always with me.

“Wow,” Skylar mutters, emotion flashing in her blue eyes. “He seems like a great man.”

I don’t have the strength to say“he was”without breaking down, so I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.

Skylar clears her throat, uncomfortably clicking the end of her pen before hitting me with her next question.

“How would you handle a difficult co-worker or manager?” she asks, her expression serious. “Everyone has different personalities and temperaments, so it’s important that we find ways to work together. Do you have an example of a time you resolved a conflict within the workplace?”

I pinch my brows together, trying to think of a situationwhere there was animosity between me and one of my colleagues. My palms grow sweaty and my heart beats erratically, the silence growing louder as my brain goes blank.

Alexa, play ‘Under Pressure’ by Queen.

Like a lightbulb shining bright, Jerry pops into my mind.

Fucking Jerry.

“I um…I had a manager named Jerry. It was my first ever office job, and he took advantage of how young and naive I was. It started out with coffee runs, but it quickly turned into me completing his household errands, taking his dog to the groomer, and cleaning up evidence of his affairs before his wife got home from business trips. Instead of working as his assistant, I became his maid.”

Skylar’s brows shoot up as her mouth opens wide in shock.

“Are you kidding me?” she gasps. “That issounprofessional. Did you confront him about this?”

“Oh yeah,” I scoff. “When I finally had enough, I scheduled a meeting with him, in which he complained that he didn't have time for it in the first place. After a few pointed emails, he agreed to meet with me, and let’s just say the conversation didn’t go well. He told me that’s the way the corporate world works and that I need to know my role in this industry.”

Skylar slowly shakes her head, looking at me like she’s at a loss for words.

“So the next day,” I continue, “I walked straight into his office, placed my badge on his desk, and handed him my resignation letter. I also printed out a copy of my job description for his review. I told him it needed to be revised when he posted my position, so his next assistant would know what they were signing up for. After that, I grabbed my belongings from my desk and never stepped foot in that office again.”

A grin stretches across her face, her expression resembling a proud older sister.

“Good for you,” she croons, folding her arms over her chest.

I exhale a deep breath as my nerves start to settle. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting her reaction to be so laid back.

“I just…I know my worth,” I say confidently. “Like I said, if you show me respect and kindness, I’ll work hard and show up every day prepared to give one hundred percent. It doesn't matter if you’re an intern or the CEO, we’re all here because we add value to the company. No matter where you fall on the corporate ladder, you should be treated likeyouare an asset to the company. I appreciate constructive criticism and growing as an individual, but I won’t stand for being belittled because someone has a fancier title than me.”

Skylar sits up straight in her chair before slowly clapping her hands together and nodding her head in approval.

“Wow,” she exhales. “That has got to be the most honest, yet impactful answer I have ever received from a candidate.”

I don’t do well with compliments, so I let out an awkward chuckle and rub a hand down my arm.